The Art of Becoming

Our neighbors recently visited with us out in front of our house: it was happy hour, and the sun was just barely beginning to set. The day was cold but the sun rays did succeed in starting to melt the mounds of snow we received last week. As kids played and the dads discussed something I didn't think pertained to me, I looked over at my fellow mom. She said, "How are you guys doing? Everybody doing all right?" This is the question I both hear and I find myself asking as the ground begins to thaw. Temperatures are above freezing, and as more people walk their dogs, or as we cross paths with neighbors and friends, there's a familiar theme to the greetings:  How's everyone handling the winter? You making it over there? Haven't seen your face in awhile, and we've been all cooped up: you guys good? Before answering her, I felt myself pause briefly as I browsed through all the events of the past day, the past week, the past month in my brain. How do I answer thi